Book Review: A Kiss Before the Apocalypse By Thomas E. Sniegoski

Now that I’m seriously working on book edits, I figured it would be a good idea to read a few other novels in the same genre to improve my flow, word choice, characterization…. all that fun stuff.

Found this particular novel at our local library, the first in a series. I’m not overly fond of angel novels, but the description reminded me of Jim Butcher’s Dresden Files, an amazing series. So I thought I’d give this a chance 🙂

The Blurb

Boston P.I. Remy Chandler has many talents. He can will himself invisible, he can speak and understand any foreign language (including the language of animals), and if he listens carefully, he can hear thoughts. Unusual, to say the least, for an ordinary man.

But Remy is no ordinary man; he’s an angel. Generations ago, he chose to renounce heaven and live on Earth. He’s found a place among us ordinary humans; friendship, a job he’s good at, and love.

Now he is being drawn into a case with strong ties to his angelic past. The Angel of Death has gone missing, and Remy’s former colleagues have come to him for help. But what at first seems to be about tracing a missing person turns out to involve much more; a conspiracy that has as its goal the destruction of the human race.

Only Remy Chandler, formerly known as the angel Remiel, can stop it.

My Thoughts?

Not a bad book overall, but not great either.

Despite my hesitation at reading another angel novel, the premise was interesting. What happens when the angel of death stops doing his job? The main character, Remy, is compelled to track down the MIA angel along with the help of a few friends, including his dog, a gruff city cop, and a fallen angel with a penchant for big guns. Sniegoski’s characters are likeable, if slightly stereotypical and predictable.

The story was a bit on the cheesy side, despite the deep considerations of death and mortality. It’s hard to take a character seriously when he’s constantly talking to a dog. Don’t get me wrong- the black lab is sweet, but he doesn’t really add a whole lot to the conversation. This was also one of those stories with a few too many perfect chance instances. I know people luck out sometimes, but it’s annoying when it happens all the time.

One thing I do have to give props for, Sniegoski creates a pretty epic world for his Remy Chandler novels, weaving together pieces of biblical references, myths, and historic events to sculpt a wonderfully colorful backstory. The different types of demonic, heavenly, and fallen characters were intriguing in their uniqueness. Though, Sniegoski tends to overuse flashbacks to tell background stories. He overused flashbacks in general…

As a warning, this book was good at pulling on the heart strings. Remy’s interactions with his wife border on heartbreaking, a mortal woman nearing the end of her life with an immortal husband. I will honestly admit that this book had me close to tears a few times.

Overall the first book in the Remy Chandler series wasn’t too bad. I give it three out of five stars. The writing isn’t great, but I’m interested enough that I plan to pick up the second book. If you’re looking for a fun, old-fashioned detective novel with a supernatural twist, give this one a shot!